The 1970s era more dramatic than today: Filmmaker Milan Luthria

Milan Luthria

Mumbai, Aug 24 – Filmmaker Milan Luthria, who has made some commercially successful films like “The Dirty Picture” and “Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai”, set in the backdrop of 1970-1980s, says he is fascinated by the people and culture of that time as there were more elements of drama and emotion in people’s relationships than in present time.

Luthria’s upcoming directorial venture “Baadshaho” is also set 1970, in the backdrop of the Emergency.

Asked about making films of that era, Luthria told IANS here: “The reason is simple. I find people of that era more dramatic, more emotional than today’s generation. Nowadays, people fall in love, they break up and move on easily… Between two friends, people come close and go away easily. But earlier it was not like that.

“These days, everything looks the same. For me, drama comes from complexity… From how, in the same situation, three people thinking differently and that is changing the situation. Earlier, if friendship turned into enmity, it would go to a disastrous level. In fact, if you look at the international entertainment, whether it is ‘House Of Cards’ or ‘Game of Thrones’, it’s all about drama.

“Therefore, I prefer to explore that era in my stories.”

While the filmmaker explored the darker side of the film industry and life of an actress in “The Dirty Picture” and the world of a gangster in “Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai”, he always attempts to approach the subjects differently and utilizes the power of modern technology in storytelling.

Commenting on that, Luthria said: “I always try to create the different texture of every story. You cannot find the world of ‘Once Upon..’ in ‘Baadshaho’ because the latter is set in Rajasthan. The geography, culture, light, camera angles everything is very different that of the city Mumbai.

“And I think that is one of the element as a director I emphasise on… use of technology. if I am narrating the story of an old era using modern technology, it becomes a visual treat for the audience. That’s how it works.”

The story of “Baadshaho” revolves around a royal family of Rajasthan and how their property gets looted after the declaration of Emergency.

As the film features Ajay Devgn, Emraan Hashmi, Ileana D’Cruz, Esha Gupta and Vidyut Jammwal, Luthria believes that casting different stars create better interest about the film among the audience.

Talking about his equation with his actors, especially with Ajay, he said: “I think with any individual I meet, the first 10 minutes of our conversation defines our equation — either you get along, bond over something, or you don’t. with Ajay, that’s what happens, even though we do not talk to each other every day, we know we are bonded. So you don’t work on developing an equation, it happens naturally.”

“Baadshaho” is releasing on September 1.